US immigration agency explores purchasing robot dogs in enforcement tech push

The move comes as the agency faces questions over the use of force.

WASHINGTON –The Trump administration is exploring adding robot dogs to the expanding arsenal being used by the US federal immigration authorities as they seek to boost arrests and deportations across the country.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) posted a market-research notice on Aug 28 saying the agency was looking into the purchase of “quadruped unmanned ground vehicles”, known as robotic dogs, along with a draft of the robot specifications.

The posting comes amid concerns from civil liberties groups about plans to increase funding for ICE as the agency faces questions over the use of force in US President Donald Trump’s aggressive deportations drive .

The agency has signalled it plans to boost spending on enforcement technology, including as much as US$20 million (S$25.5 million) to outfit ICE agents and officers with electric shock gloves, which deliver a debilitating shock to a person when used directly on the skin.

According to NBC News, which first reported the agency’s interest in the dog-like quadruped robots, the government is looking to spend at least US$2 million on the robots. ICE’s market research posting stipulates there’s no guarantee the government will solicit a future order.

The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment. BLOOMBERG